World Humanoid Robot Games Kick Off in Beijing Amidst Stumbles and Speed Records

The World Humanoid Robot Games have commenced in Beijing, China, with more than 2,000 robots participating in the five-day event. This marks the second iteration of the competition, held at the National Speed Skating Oval and scheduled to conclude on August 26.

A record number of 2,056 robots, entered by 666 teams, are set to compete. While the majority of teams are from China, 16 countries across six continents are represented. The games feature 1,301 matches across a variety of events.

Competitions are designed to mirror human sports, including weightlifting, gymnastics, football, and tug of war, alongside 11 Olympic-style track and field events. A separate category of 20 work-scenario tasks challenges robots with dextrous hand functions like bricklaying, power tool assembly, and package handling, intended to showcase potential commercial applications for humanoid robots.

Officials will award full points to fully autonomous robots, with semi-autonomous robots receiving half points. Notably, the current edition of the games does not include events involving stairs, uneven terrain, or human-robot collaboration.

The games take place against a backdrop of recent advancements in robot performance in China. Scientists have developed a prototype robot, nicknamed 'Superman,' which reportedly achieved a speed of 12.66 meters per second (28.3 mph) during track testing. This is claimed to be faster than the world record set by Usain Bolt at 12.42 meters per second (27.78 mph) in 2009. The prototype, developed by Hangzhou-based robotics company Unitree, is also said to have achieved a vertical jump of two meters from a standing position, surpassing the human world record of 1.7 meters.

However, the impressive speed and jump claims for 'Superman' have not yet been independently verified, and the demonstrations are described as showcasing raw physical capabilities rather than practical tasks. In contrast to these reported achievements, the games themselves have seen some setbacks. During a training session for the world's first humanoid half-marathon on April 19, one robot tripped and was extensively damaged, requiring paramedics to remove its remains. Similarly, during an opening ceremony event, one robot caught fire, and another fell during a 100m preliminary race. A separate incident saw paramedics carrying a red humanoid robot off on a stretcher after it fell during a race.